TAYLORSVILLE, Ind. – Four area fire departments, the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, and Columbus Regional Health (CRH) EMS all responded to a 911 call alerting emergency crews of a fire Saturday night in the 6800 block of Bonesteel Dr., near Taylorsville. The German Township, Columbus Township, Clifford, and Edinburgh Fire Departments were all dispatched at about 9:45 p.m.
Sheriff’s deputies were first on the scene and ensured everyone was out of the house but were informed that two dogs remained inside. When German Township firefighters arrived, they found the living room ablaze and heavy smoke coming from the front door. They quickly extinguished the fire and then searched the home and located the two dogs and brought them outside to safety. Because of smoke inhalation, the canines were given oxygen by CRH EMS and have recovered. Two parrots died in the fire.
The homeowner told authorities that she had tripped in the living room, knocking over a table that apparently had a burning candle on it. She went to bed not realizing the candle was lit and had started a fire. About two minutes later, a 10-year-old in the house began yelling that there was a fire. The homeowner attempted to put it out, but the blaze only got bigger and 911 was called.
No one was injured and the damage was estimated at $25,000 to the structure and $25,000 to the contents inside the home. The fire was determined to be accidental. There were working smoke detectors in the house. Fire crews remained on the scene until just after 1 a.m.
